Abstract:

A method and device to supply a processing section adjoining the device
with print products withdrawn from a stack of print products in a feeder.
The device including a magazine to contain the stack of print products
and a separating device to separate a lowest print product from the stack
along an edge region of the lowest print product formed by a sheet edge
or a last fold. The device further includes a rear holder that is
displaceable in coordination with the separating device to support the
stack remaining during a cycle of withdrawing the lowest print product
from the stack. A withdrawing device withdraws the lowest print product
from an underside of the stack and includes a gripper to grip a front end
of the lowest print product in the withdrawing direction while operating
with timing of the separating device and the rear holder in the cycle.

Claims:

1. A method to supply a processing section with print products,
comprising:separating a lowest print product along an edge region formed
by a sheet edge or a fold from a stack of print products arranged one
above the other;withdrawing the lowest print product in a withdrawing
direction from an underside of the stack; andsupporting the stack at
least during the withdrawing with a displaceable rear holder, wherein the
withdrawing includesgripping the lowest print product in the withdrawing
direction along a front end of the edge region previously separated from
the stack, andguiding the lowest print product with the sheet edge or the
fold in the withdrawing direction along the rear holder from the stack,
andsupplying the lowest print product to the processing section.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying further
comprises transferring the lowest print product to the processing section
while the lowest print product is at least partially withdrawn from the
stack.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising withdrawing the
lowest print product flat from the stack.

4. A device to supply a processing section adjoining the device with print
products withdrawn from a stack of print products in a feeder,
comprising:a magazine to contain the stack of print products, the print
products being arranged one above the other;a separating device to
separate a lowest print product from the stack along an edge region of
the lowest print product formed by a sheet edge or a last fold;a rear
holder that is displaceable in coordination with the separating device to
support the stack remaining during a cycle of withdrawing the lowest
print product from the stack; anda withdrawing device to withdraw the
lowest print product from an underside of the stack including an opening
and closing gripper operatively coupled to the processing section, the
gripper driven to move back and forth parallel to the withdrawing
direction and to grip a front end of the lowest print product in the
withdrawing direction while operating with timing of the separating
device and the rear holder in the cycle.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the rear holder supports the
edge region and is advanceable transverse to the withdrawing direction.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the separating device is
operative to separate the lowest print product by tilting the edge region
of the lowest print product, and the rear holder further includes a guide
arrangement to guide the lowest print product away from the stack, the
arrangement extending at least in part over a width of the magazine in
the withdrawing direction.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the rear holder further
includes a guide component to guide a lower end of the lowest print
product and the guide arrangement further includes a guide member
extending at a downward angle and approximately parallel to the
withdrawing direction at least along an underside of the tilted edge
region.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a connecting
element to couple the guide component with the rear holder, the
connecting element acting as a guide element for the separated edge
region.

9. The device according to claim 8, where at least one of the guide
member, the guide component, and the guide element comprises a solid
wall.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the guide component is
arranged at an angle to the guide member.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein the separating device is
attached below the magazine and pivotable around a horizontal axis. [I
did not use below the stack to avoid claiming things with respect to the
article being worked on]

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein the rear holder further
includes a stop element to stop a front side of the stack as seen in the
withdrawing direction.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims the priority of the European Patent
Application No. 09405083.8, filed on May 22, 2009, the subject matter of
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The subject matter of the application relates to a method for
supplying a processing section with print products that are withdrawn
individually from the underside of a stack of print products, arranged
one above the other, and are supplied to a processing section, wherein
the print products are separated from the remaining stack of print
products along the last fold or an edge region formed by a sheet edge
before being withdrawn. The print product stack is supported at least
during the withdrawing of a print product by a rear holder that can be
advanced. Methods of the aforementioned type are known for the
manufacture of books, magazines or other products, for example for the
purpose of gathering the print products into loose book blocks.

[0003]The International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/094164 discloses a
method and an arrangement for supplying the respective print products in
an overlapping flow and transverse to the movement direction of a
conveying channel to a gathering device, composed of circulating
carriers. The respectively first print product is gripped along the
folded edges by a gripper of a parallel circulating feeding device, is
withdrawn from the overlapping flow without being guided on the side, and
is deposited exclusively in the conveying channel.

[0004]European Patent document EP 1 520 817 A1, with a prior publication
date, describes a method and a device where print products are gathered
into unbound book blocks along a conveying section which is supplied by
several feeders with print products. The print products are respectively
lifted up along an edge region on the front of a print product stack and
are withdrawn with the aid of a conveying element from the print product
stack.

[0005]European Patent document EP-A-1 718 013 discloses a device for
gathering print products. The device comprises a delivery station
arranged in series along a gathering conveyor and includes a magazine for
accommodating respectively one stack of identical print products.
Separating devices for the feeding stations grip an exposed edge region
of the respectively lowest print product and tilt this product, so that
it can be gripped by parallel-moving grippers that are attached to a
driven, endless chain and function to transfer the print products to a
gathering conveyor provided with uniformly spaced apart carriers.

SUMMARY

[0006]It is an object of the present application to specify a device and
method which allows feeding print products to a processing section in a
more careful and reliable manner and with simpler devices than has been
possible so far.

[0007]The above and other objects are accomplished according to one aspect
of the invention, wherein there is provided a method to supply a
processing section with print products, comprising: separating a lowest
print product along an edge region formed by a sheet edge or a fold from
a stack of print products arranged one above the other; withdrawing the
lowest print product in a withdrawing direction from an underside of the
stack; and supporting the stack at least during the withdrawing with a
displaceable rear holder, wherein the withdrawing includes gripping the
lowest print product in the withdrawing direction along a front end of
the edge region previously separated from the stack, and guiding the
lowest print product with the sheet edge or the fold in the withdrawing
direction along the rear holder from the stack; and supplying the lowest
print product to the processing section.

[0008]According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a
device to supply a processing section adjoining the device with print
products withdrawn from a stack of print products in a feeder,
comprising: a magazine to contain the stack of print products, the print
products being arranged one above the other; a separating device to
separate a lowest print product from the stack along an edge region of
the lowest print product formed by a sheet edge or a last fold; a rear
holder that is displaceable in coordination with the separating device to
support the stack remaining during a cycle of withdrawing the lowest
print product from the stack; and a withdrawing device to withdraw the
lowest print product from an underside of the stack including an opening
and closing gripper operatively coupled to the processing section, the
gripper driven to move back and forth parallel to the withdrawing
direction and to grip a front end of the lowest print product in the
withdrawing direction while operating with timing of the separating
device and the rear holder in the cycle.

[0009]According to an embodiment of the invention, the print products are
gripped along the front end of the separated edge region, as seen in
withdrawing direction, and are transferred from the print product stack
to the processing section while guided with the last fold or a sheet edge
in withdrawing direction along the rear holder. No deflections of the
print products along the path toward the processing section are thus
required, and the print products are not subjected to any particular
stresses. In addition, a high processing speed can be achieved with this
method.

[0010]Further, the print products to be withdrawn may be transferred to
the processing section while at least partially withdrawn from underneath
the print product stack, so that no intermediate conveying is necessary.

[0011]As a result of the method according to the invention, the print
products may be pulled flat from the stack of print products.

[0012]In a further embodiment, there is provided a device for supplying a
downstream arranged processing section or station with print products
which are pulled with the aid of a withdrawing device from underneath a
stack of print products, arranged one above the other, inside a magazine.
Also provided is a separating device for separating or lifting an edge
region, primarily formed by a last fold or a sheet edge, of the lowest
print product in the stack. A rear holder is advanced during each cycle
to the separating device to support the print product stack or the
remaining print product stack, at least during the withdrawing of the
print products. These simple structural devices may be used to separate
the stacked print products and to withdraw and transport these products
for a more reliable high operational output.

[0013]According to an embodiment, a withdrawing device includes an opening
and closing gripper, driven back and forth parallel to a withdrawing
direction with the operating cycle of the separating device and the rear
holder. The gripper grips the separated edge region or the gripping edge
on the front, as seen in the withdrawing direction and is operatively
connected to the processing section.

[0014]The print products may thus be processed in a careful manner. The
rear holder may be arranged to advance transverse or at a right angle to
the withdrawing direction for the print products, such that the last
folding edge or the sheet edge that delimits the edge region extends
parallel to the conveying direction and may be used as reference edge.

[0015]The rear holder, which is activated to support the stack or the
remaining stack of print products, may comprise a guide arrangement to
guide the print products to be withdrawn. In withdrawing direction, the
guide arrangement may extend at least partially over the magazine width
and acts upon the edge region of a print product that is separated. This
guide arrangement may provide a higher stability and accuracy of
orientation for the print products along the conveying path.

[0016]The guide arrangement may comprise a guide member extending
approximately parallel at least on the underside of the tilted edge
region of a print product. The free end of this guide member may contain
a guide component that is connected to the rear holder, so that a
position-correct transfer of the print products may take place.

[0017]For a simple and stable attachment, the guide component may be
connected to the rear holder via a connecting element that functions as
guide member above the separated edge region of a print product.
Accordingly, a channel-type guide path is formed together with the guide
member.

[0018]At least one of the elements forming the guide arrangement may be
embodied as a solid wall to enhance the guiding characteristics and the
behavior of the print products along the conveying path.

[0019]The guide component may be arranged at an angle to the guide member
and form a guiding surface along which the last fold or sheet edge of the
print products can glide.

[0020]A compact design of the device may be achieved if the separating
device is attached below the stack of print products, respectively the
magazine, such that it may pivot around a horizontal axis. The separating
device may be embodied for example as a pivoting suction head that is
arranged parallel to the withdrawing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]The subject matter of the application will be more readily
understood from the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic, three-dimensional representation of the
device according to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a partial view of the device shown in FIG. 1, wherein the
rear holder is advanced toward the stack;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a partial view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1,
wherein the gripping edge or edge region is tilted and the rear holder is
in the pulled-back position;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a further partial view of the device according to FIG. 1,
during the gripping or clamping in of the lowest print product in a print
product stack;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a partial view of the device visible in FIG. 1, which
includes an alternative guide arrangement, showing the gripping edge
separated and the rear holder advanced; and

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a device 1 to supply a processing section (not visible
in FIG. 1) with print products 3, 3', in a processing direction. The
print products are respectively withdrawn from the underside of a stack
2, 2' of print products 3,3', arranged one above the other inside a
magazine 4, and are supplied to the processing section for the further
processing.

[0029]According to one embodiment, during the further processing, the
print products 3, 3' are processed into books, magazines, brochures and
the like. Prior to withdrawing the individual print products 3, 3' from
the stack 2, the respective print products are separated and lifted up by
an edge region from the remaining stack of print products 2', primarily
by the last fold or in the case of an individual sheet by an edge region
of a sheet edge that is also called a gripping edge 6. In the process,
the print product stack 2 and the remaining stack 2' are supported by a
rear holder 9 which operates with the timing of a separating device 5.

[0030]During the transfer of the respectively lowest print product 3' to
the processing section, these products are gripped by the front end 8 of
the gripping edge 6, as seen in withdrawing direction F, respectively by
the tilted gripping edge 6 that is separated from the print product stack
2'. The lowest print product 3' is then supplied to the processing
section with the last fold or the sheet edge moving along the advanced
rear holder 9. The transfer to the processing section which adjoins the
device 1 may be achieved even before the print product 3' has left the
device 1. The print product is withdrawn and/or transferred while
positioned approximately horizontal or flat, meaning approximately no
deflections or movement to the upright position takes place which could
hinder the transfer. The connection between the device and the processing
section must therefore be coplanar.

[0031]To realize the method-technical steps, a device is furthermore
provided to supply a processing section, adjoining this device, with
print products 3' which are withdrawn with the aid of a withdrawing
device 22 from the underside of a stack 2 of print products 3, 3',
arranged one above the other inside a magazine 4.

[0032]Prior to that, the individual print products 3, 3' are pulled with
the aid of the separating device 5 downward on the underside of the print
product stack 2 or the remaining stack 2', in the edge region, along the
gripping edge 6 facing the rear holder 9. The rear holder 9 is pulled
back immediately prior (see FIG. 3). The gripping edge 6 is primarily a
fold consisting of multiple print product 3' pages, but may also be
located along an edge of an individual sheet or a plan sheet. The
separating device 5 and the rear holder 9 are controlled with a timed
sequence. Accordingly, the edge region 6 is lifted off while the rear
holder 9 is pulled back and the print products 3' are pulled from under
the stack 2' while the rear holder 9 is in an advanced position.

[0033]The withdrawing device 22 includes a gripper 7, which is driven back
and forth in linear direction (double arrow 31 in FIG. 1), either
pneumatically or electro-mechanically, with the aid of a controlled drive
(not shown) and parallel to the withdrawing direction F. The gripper
comprises two gripper jaws 23 for opening and closing the gripper 7. The
opening and closing may be realized pneumatically, electro-mechanically
or mechanically and the back and forth movement occurs along a guide
arrangement 24. When withdrawing a print product 3' from a print product
stack 2, the print product 3' is separated along the gripping edge 6
while the rear holder 9 is in the moved-back position.

[0034]Immediately thereafter, the rear holder 9 is pivoted under the
remaining print product stack 2'. The closing gripper 7 in a starting
position for the withdrawal clamps grips the separated print product 3'
along the front end 8 of the edge region, respectively the gripping edge
6 (corner region of the print product), as seen in withdrawing direction
F. The gripper 7 pulls the print product from the magazine 4 in order to
transfer this product to a conveyor 37 that is assigned to the processing
section.

[0035]During the withdrawing operation, the print product 3' is moved,
secured against twisting, along a guide arrangement 10 until it leaves
the magazine 4. The leading edge 42, as seen in conveying direction F, of
the withdrawn print product 3' is moved to the processing section,
clamped in between the two conveying belts 38, 39 which circulate
side-by-side in pairs and form the conveyor 37. Deflection rollers 40 are
used for the required reversal of the conveying belts 38, 39. The rear
holder 9 may be advanced with the aid of a pivoting movement, as
indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rear holder 9 may comprise three lever
elements 11, distributed over the width of the print product stack, which
are attached to a shaft 12, to pivot around a horizontal axis 13 that
extends parallel to the withdrawing direction F.

[0036]The guide arrangement 10, arranged to extend at least partially
across the width of the print product stack, comprises a guide member 17
that drops down at an angle under the print product stack 2 under the
rear holder 9, in the edge region 6 of the print products 3, 3'. The
angle position approximately corresponds to a tilt angle of the gripping
edge 6. The guide member 17 transitions from being approximately flush to
the print product stack with its upper edge to an obtuse angle to the
support surface for the print product stack. The guide member includes a
recess 18 through which the separating device 5 extends and grips the
lowest print product 3' in order to pull the print product 3' toward the
guide member 17 (see FIG. 3).

[0037]The separating device 5 includes a suction head 15, attached to a
pivoting arm 14, which is connected to a controlled vacuum source. As
soon as the gripping edge 6 is positioned opposite the guide member 17,
the rear holder 9 advances to the operating position where it prevents
the edge region from moving back toward the remaining print product stack
2'. For this purpose, a guide element 19 may be attached to the angled
pivoting arm end 16 which is pivoted under the remaining print product
stack 2'. Insofar as the separating device 5 includes several pivoting
arms 14 and suction heads 15, distributed over the print product stack 2,
the guide element 19 extends across the width of the print product stack.
However, if the separating device 5 comprises only one pivoting arm 14
with suction head 15 which exclusively acts upon the front gripping edge
end 8, the guide element 19 may only extend over a portion of the width
of the print product stack, so that the rear holder 9 does not collide
with the print product 3' to be withdrawn while the device 9 is advanced.

[0038]To prevent the print product 3' from being displaced or rotated
during the withdrawal and to ensure that the print product maintains the
position it occupies in the print product stack 2, the fold edge or the
edge region 6, glides along a guide component 20 which extends along the
length of the guide arrangement 10. This guide component 20 operatively
arranged with the guide member 17 and connected to the rear holder 9. The
elements 17, 20 and the guide component 19 together form the guide
arrangement 10. With the rear holder 9 pulled back, the elements 17, 20
and the guide component 19 form a narrow conveying channel 33 for guiding
the print products 3' to be withdrawn. The guide members or the guide
elements of the guide arrangement 10 in this case may either be solid or
discontinuous guide surfaces, as long as these are suitable for the
guidance.

[0039]According to the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a gripper 7
may be used for gripping the print product 3' along the front gripping
edge end 8. The gripper 7 is provided on a rear holder 9' with a roll 29
which is positioned rotating with the aid of an axis 28 on a bearing part
27 of the rear holder 9'. The roll 29 cooperates with a dab roll or
printer's ball 30 which can be rotated around an axis 43. The dab roll 30
may be positioned locally fixed on a holder, not shown herein. The dab
roll 30 may be driven continuously with a drive that is not shown herein.
The print product 3' is respectively clamped in along the front gripping
edge end 8 between the roll 29 and the dab roll 30 and is pulled in a
direction out of the page away from the print product stack 2. The force
used to withdraw the print product 3' is effective as long as the
gripping device 32 cooperates with the roll 29. Accordingly, the gripping
device 32 extends in circumferential direction and determines the lift
and/or the distance for withdrawing the print product 3' from the print
product stack 2, thereby permitting a continuous rotational movement of
the dab rolls 30. The gripper shown in FIG. 6 may permit a vibration-free
withdrawal of a print product 3'.

[0040]However, the gripper 7 may also be a different suitable gripping
device which may make it possible to grip or clamp in the front end of
the gripping edge 8. It may also make it possible to withdraw the print
product 3' for a short distance from the print product stack 2, so that
the print product 3' may immediately be picked up by the conveyor 37. To
remove a print product 3' from the stack of print products 2, the rear
holder 9' may be pivoted by the shaft 12 to the position shown in FIG. 3.
Shaft 12 is also shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. An inside surface 46, which
previously supported the print product stack 2, 2', is now clear as can
be seen in FIG. 3. The same applies correspondingly to the underside 35
of the print product 3' to be withdrawn, shown in FIG. 4, as well as to a
front 36 of the print product stack 2 which extends in the withdrawing
direction F. The guide element 19 is also pivoted out, so that the above
mentioned conveying channel 33 no longer exists. The guide member 17 only
may still be in the original position and form a top surface 21 that also
slants downward at an angle.

[0041]In a following step, the suction heads 15 may be pivoted upward to
the position shown in FIG. 4 in which they fit against the underside 35
of the print product 3'. A vacuum is then generated in the suction heads
15, so that the print product 3' is pulled toward the suction heads 15.

[0042]In a subsequent step, the separating device 5 may be pivoted
downward into the position shown in FIG. 5 and, essentially at the same
time, the rear holder 9 may be moved to the position that is also shown
in FIG. 5, thereby forming once more the conveying channel 33. Owing to
the adherence of the suction heads 15 to the underside 35 of the print
product 3', the edge region 6 of this print product is moved downward and
toward the surface 21. In the process, a bend 45 forms in the print
product 3' and extends in withdrawing direction over the total length of
the print product 3'. Below this bend 45, the edge region 6 is located
inside the conveying channel 33, wherein this edge region 6 substantially
extends up to the guide component 20, as shown in FIG. 5. Blast nozzles
25 can be used to blow air in the direction of the bend 45, so that an
air cushion forms between the print product 3' and the above-positioned
print product 3, thereby reducing the friction between these two lowest
sheets during the withdrawing.

[0043]To ensure that during the withdrawing of a print product 3', the
above-positioned print products 3 does not change its position, a stop
element 34 may be attached to the rear holder 9 which acts in withdrawing
direction F upon the front side 44 of the stack. When the rear holder 9
is advanced, meaning during the withdrawing of the print products 3', the
stop element 34 is respectively in a stop position where it acts to hold
back the print product stack 2'. The stop element 34 is non-functional
when the rear holder 9 is in the pulled back position and the separating
device 5 is carrying out a separating operation.

[0044]It will be understood that the above description of the present
invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and
adaptations, and that the same are intended to be comprehended within the
meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.